Unedited~
• • •
"Is this real life?" Seinna muttered softly. Her voice barely was audible over the sound of the bustling air and she couldn't keep the incredulity she felt in strong surges out of it either.
"Its real..as much as I hate to admit it," the man standing next to her muttered, the latter part of his sentence was said under his breath.
"I mean.." Seinna continued distractedly, "It's one thing for Isaac to deduce this but... now it's a whole different experience seeing it happen in real life," she continued.
"-Isaac?" The man quickly looked away from the eye catching scene and back towards Seinna.
His question immediately made her return to the present. She straighted, her eyes snapping back to Ethan. She then planted a rigid smile onto her lips, "Right..Ethan."
He nodded, albeit slowly. He remained tensed, the muscles in his cheek were tight. Seinna noticed how dark his gaze got in contrast to before and it made a spark light in her eyes. "I have a feeling," she began, "-that you know that woman...personally."
Ethan on the other hand, wanted to leave but stood rigidly at that same moment. While he did need a moment to sort his thoughts and recover from that sight, the woman before him...she irked him somewhat.
He had an instinctive sense to know when to posture himself to the right person. Years spent moving up from a normal lower floor assistant to a higher floor supervisor sharpened that skill. The female before him didn't seem like a nobody. He refrained from trying to dismiss her and instead chose to humor her.
From that scene just now, he had no reason to leave and go looking around anymore so why bother?
"Who?" He asked, an eyebrow raised.
Seinna used her head to make a small gesture to the two's direction. "That lady, the one with Mr Osoro," she smiled afterwards.
"What makes you think that?" He tilted his head to the side.
"Oh no reason...just my womanly intuition."
Ethan laughed dryly, "Well...Maybe I do know her, but what's it to you? And who's Isaac?"
"Glad to hear that you do and to answer your last question, hes someone who's very interested in meeting you."
"Reason being?"
"Eh...you'll know after you see him."
"That's assuming that I have any interest whatsoever in meeting this...Isaac,"
"Trust me, you will."
Ethan frowned. Seinna was quite...pushy. He stared at her expressionlessly for a good amount of seconds and she did not fidget under his stare, not even a twitch.
"And if I don't?" Ethan sighed, no longer willing. There was one thing he absolutely abhorred and it was being ordered around. That and feeling like he had no choice whatsoever in any given situation.
Seinna surprised him and took his arm. Before he could remove himself, she smiled brightly, expression changing at the flip of a switch. "Miss May!"
Ethan froze, turning to his side. He didn't even realize that Miss May drifted this close.
Miss May turned, she looked surprised at her name being called out but that immediately faded after she spotted Seinna, "Oh Darlin!"
"Aww you're still calling me that? It's been months," Seinna laughed, "But anyway, I noticed you came with this dashing young man as your date, I hope you wouldn't mind me stealing him away for a little bit."
Miss May laughed heartily, "It's not a problem, I was banking on some pretty young lady stealing him away tonight."
"You flatter me, Miss May, No one is as young and pretty as you," Seinna spoke sweetly and was leading him away just as fast.
Ethan was at a lost for words and that feeling multipled after they walked some feet away and the Seinna's face went back to stone, smile dissapearing from her lips just as quickly as it came.
"...How do you-"
"Dont worry about it," Seinna huffed.
She brought him over to the far side of the room, it was a dim seating area. She walked him to a lone table with very few people sitting in other chairs around it. Only one man sat where she lead him though. And the steely eyes of that man was fixed onto him.
Both of Ethan's eyebrows went upwards and he turned towards Seinna in partial suprise.
He'd be lying if he said he didn't recognize this man. If it was one thing Ethan had an ability for, it was immediately recognizing someone who was definitely not a no name rando.
Isaac. More specifically, Isaac Anderson. Chairperson and major investment holder in many sectors of Anderson Ltd business and agencies. One of the few that topped others of his class and still having his own separate background.
Ethan cursed inwardly.
As if he didn't have issues with one powerful man already. Ethan turned to leave but Seinna's sharp gaze snapped to his, pinning him to the spot.
"Come on," she smiled, "At least hear what we have to say." Her voice was sickly sweet, sweet enough to give a man diabetes. "Don't you want an opportunity to keep your job? Maybe even be promoted to a higher position?"
This made Ethan pause. Keep his job?
He thought for a second then stilled, his head immediately snapped towards Sophia's direction and he quickly spotted her over the heads of many on the raised platform they stood at.
Sophia...that bitch. How could it slip his mind... She probably went and complained to that sucker of her's already. Was this her proving a point? Trying to get back at him for his actions before?
A sliver of dread ran through him. She made her fucking point, that much was clear. And now his fucking position was probably already vacant as he stood here.
Women...they were really lucky creatures. Sprinkle a bit of pussy here and there and suddenly they had the world in their grasps. He could never understand why most of them still complained, even with this gendered benefit.
And Sophia... he underestimated her. He wasn't about to let it happen again.
He was already very familiar with how easily it was to pull some strings under the scenes. In fact, he watched many loose their jobs in this way...even did a few himself but for reasons he wasn't able to delve deeper into right now.
His mind almost went into a panic but he managed to stay calm. Thinking of his options. Ethan ignored Sienna for a few more seconds as thoughts quickly flew through his mind. He calculated and weighed his options and the only one he could fall back on was...Miss May.
Still...this far exceeded her reach. She'd be powerless to lend him any hand in this situation.
In the end, Ethan released a heavy sigh and his eyes slipped back towards Sieenaa and then Isaac. How did these two know...? Plus his situation, how did they already have a clear grasp and understanding of his sudden plight?
Ethan had a huge dilemma. While he wasn't poor...loosing his income now before getting his inheritance would be disastrous. He needed that steady stream for his lives to flow smoothly. Maybe... he should really hear these two out.
He casted a suspicious eye to Sienna as he walked forward to take a seat, "Promotion?"
"Yes, you heard right," Isaac was the one who replied. His fingers were intertwined on the dark oak table and he leaned forward an inch, "It's a simple deal, really. You help us, we help you in return-"
"-And yada yada," Seinna chiped in, "the help well offer will only be as much as the 'help' you give so keep that in mind."
"I guessed as much," Ethan leaned back, tapping a few fingers on the table, "What's your motive? -For doing this I mean."
"Does there need to be?" Isaac tilted his head to the side, "I'm just quite...curios about that woman there like everybody else. I don't mean to come off as strange but I spotted you with her in that event-"
"Oh and Mr Osoro spotted it too," Seinna spoke as if she pitied him, tsking twice, "I think you got him mad."
Isaac shot her a glare, silencing her and then his gaze returned to Ethan.
Ethan frowned. These two were...watching him? Just what were they on?
He leaned forward and his voice was low as he spoke. "I find that really hard to believe, she's just some washed up slut using her body to move up, I've seen enough of her kind, trust me you're wasting your time reading this deeply into it."
Both of Isaac's brows rose high, "Interesting...very interesting," he smiled for the first time since Ethan sat here. Ethan thought his smile was odd. "And this is what you believe?"
"I dont believe so, I know so."
"You're rathe...confident in your claims..."
Ethan sat up, "I've been overlooking Sophia ever since she started working under my supervision, I know her better than anyone-"
"-Your supervision? Wait -she's an employee of Osoro.co?" Both Isaac and Sienna shared a look with a spark in their eyes, as if they struck gold. "Please,...Tell us more."
♤♡
"That's not my brother," Amelia muttered, hiding part of her face with her glass cup while sneaking a prolonged peek.
"That is your brother," Jiho repeated for the third time, this time his voice was monotonous and dry.
"No...he's been possessed, that's the only explanation!"
"The sooner you accept it the sooner we can move on," He muttered back, fingers flying over his phone screen.
"No but-"
"Your annoying me," he replied. He kept looking down and his fingers tapped on the screen until they felt sore, his expression got dimmer and dimmer.
A few feet behind them, their father was staring down at his watch that had vibrated more than ten times since the past few minutes. Dominic looked a little helpless, he didn't even know how to turn the damned thing off.
Jiho expression didn't look too good either. He wasn't supposed to be working yet now he had to be actively texting one of their sector managers to get their team online because some genius in the afterparty found the time to sneak a photo of his brother and his date. As expected, that photo was already making it's rounds on many blog sites.
It spread like wildfire at a speed he could hardly keep up with. Usually if someone took a photo of Mr Osoro before now, all it took to get it removed was one simple click. This however was very different and harder to control.
How did Jiho become aware of this? He only took up his phone to gloat to his cousins one by one about the bet he won but they were already texting him at that same time.
Jiho found it funny. These idiots rarely communicated with him before now, much to busy with their own lives but now they suddenly wanted to meet up before the family reunion at year end.
'Don't come here, I organized this event and were already at a capacity.'
'But I wanna see it in real life, not some blurry photo-!"
'Don't you dare'
This was the majority of their conversations. Jiho turned to look at his father who stood still, frowning deeply at his watch.
While Jiho dealt with the younger generation, he knew the older heads must be giving Dominic an even harder time.
Jiho knew this was expected, in fact, ever since he first became aware he knew their family would go absolutely wild at this news. Still...even the greatest training couldn't prepare him for it in real life.
Jiho swiped away another incoming call and with a disgruntled sigh, he made sure his instructions to the manager was clear before turning his phone off entirely.
He could do no more.
Amelia gave up taking sneak peeks and was now watching them outright. Pursing her lips. "It's like they're in their own world over there," she spoke, a little incredulously.
"-I've never seen my brother smile that much in one sitting, it's horrifying!" She whispered.
"Take your time, it gets easier after a while."
Her head snapped to him, "Still cant get over the fact that you knew?!"
"Yeah, before you and everyone else," Jiho poked fun at her, "I'm an amazing assistant aren't I?"
"Couldn't let the opportunity to gloat pass could you," she made a sound in her throat and turned away. After a few seconds she continued "-I'm his cute little sister and he never smiled and entertained me like that," she gasped, "did he get just get her a drink?"
"Oh my...its almost as if you're not the love of his life," Jiho rolled his eyes, "And can you not act like everything they do is shocking? It's getting annoying."
Amelia froze, "Just shut up! Let me be surprised in peace."
"You're just being weird," Jiho coughed under his breath.
Amelia ignored him and after a while she straightened, "Look's like he doesn't plan on introducing her to us, I'm going over there," she took a step but Jiho quickly grabbed and pulled her back.
"Do you hate living?" He joked. "Can't you see they obviously don't want to be disturbed?"
Amelia shook her head, "But-"
"Jiho's right," The voice reminded them that they were also here with their father. He came to stand inbetween them and Jiho took special notice of Dominic's now watch-less wrist. Jiho had to take a deep breath to not laugh.
Did his father throw it away?
As expected, his father didn't like bothersome things and Jiho guessed that was where Elijah got that specific trait from.
"-Lets not disturb them," he spoke with a smile as if reminiscing of the old days.
Amelia wasn't toovpleased by this. She repeated his words soundlessly in mockery when he wasn't looking before murmering to herself, "I wish Mum was here."
Jiho immediately stilled. "Don't joke like that..."
♤♡
Meanwhile, at that same moment on the other side of the wide ballroom-like area, Sophia was frowning as she looked down at the glass Elijah placed in her hands. Elijah watched her in silence, as he always did and if anyone were to ask him. He say he found that little frown cute.
Sophia looked up from it and the complication didn't leave her eyes, "I know its wine but why is it so strong..."
"It's a speciality," Elijah replied, "Our sponsors can get quite...generous."
"Generous?" Sophia shook her head, "-More like they're trying to murder everyone via alcohol poisoning, I can't drink anymore of this."
"Would you rather the punch?" He asked with a raised brow.
Sophia shook her head immediately. "Are those my only options? Don't tell me every single one of those trays are filled with stuff like this."
"It is, they were instructed to serve only the best."
"I hope you weren't the one who did," Sophia huffed under he breath.
Elijah smiled in response. Sophia gave up and resorted to drinking the wine to moisten her throat and Elijah breathed an inaudible sigh after she did.
Truthfully, he had no intention into getting her drunk. This was all in a final effort to sooth her. He only wanted her to properly enjoy the atmosphere and standing here with him but he couldn't help but notice that her shoulders were tensed even before she got here. That along with the eyes she casted around their environment. Sophia was distracted, even moreso than usual and he'd be dumb to not see that.
Plus...just who was she trying to find in the small crowd of people?
Elijah had his guesses.
Who else if not that man?
Elijah was curious, he wanted to now in great detail about whatever was bothering her but now was not the time. The least he could do was to try and calm her nerves with one drink.
Only one.
He came back to the present moments later to Sophia smiling up at him. He was surprised by the empty glass in her hand.
"Sophia-"
"It's pretty good," she commended while handing him the glass, "I want more."
Just by the gaze she stared up at him with, Elijah felt a sense of foreboding, "Ah, I think that's enough."
"No?" She tiled her head to the side.
"Let's just wait a while."
"But-"
"Sophia," both of them stared at the other, each not willing to give up. Elijah stilled seconds later as he saw a tiny smirk on her lips. It was gone as fast as lighting.
"Eli..." Sophia stepped closer to him, her doe eyes were soulful, pitiful even. It was that same gaze she used back then, one he found it hard to say no to.
Elijah steeled himself against it. His original intent was for one drink to sooth her nerves. He remembered drunk Sophia and it sent a sliver of alarm through his body.
Sophia absolutely would not drink more than one glass tonight. Not if he could help it.
He removed the empty glass from her sight, took her hand and brought her some feet away from that area, immediately directing her attention elsewhere, "I'm glad that you feel comfortable enough, was there something bothering you?"
She immediately stilled upon hearing his question and Elijah took note of that. She then waved him off, "It's nothing."
"Sophia," he pressed on.
Sophia pursed her lips, quickly finding something else to pick at. "I just...thought it was unfair."
"Unfair?" Both of Elijah's eyebrows rose. Her answer was different than what he was expecting.
"-I had to get get changed and squeeze myself into this thing while you're free to wear that...twice," Sophia randomly pointed out. Her voice was somber and the taste of the wine lingered on her tongue.
"Oh?" He smiled, releasing her hand. His now free hand came up to her face to lightly brush at the corner of her lips. It made Sophia's face heat and she quickly averted her eyes, instinctively pulling away.
She wanted to groan and resorted to doing so internally. Why on earth would he do that here! Sophia shot him a glare after collecting herself.
As usual, Elijah was unaffected. His arm curled around her waist and he pulled her in so they no longer stood side to side. Sophia face went hotter. It was as if he was punishing her for pulling away just now.
While Elijah chuckled, Sophia hid her face. He still felt the need to act like this, as if they were alone even in such a public space. It made her fell tingly inside, like a shy schoolgirl. Sophia didn't want to meet the gazes of anyone around them.
"-I really had no problem," he continued now that she was closer, "if you wanted me to wear something else, you could've just told me."
Sophia looked up disbelivingly, his eyes were filled with humor. This bastard, he was teasing her now? She nearly choked. "...As if."
"I'm very serious, if you picked it out yourself that'd be even better."
Sophia laughed under her breath, rolling her eyes as she looked away "You'd only be setting yourself up-"
"I don't think so."
"You should and don't think I forgot about that wine!"
Elijah chuckled lightly, "When we get back, you can have as much as you lik-" he didn't get to finish as he spotted something moving in his peripheral.
Elijah paused and looked up from Sophia who he held close and someone else entered his line of sight.
This was the first person to dare to take a step over this little area where he stood. Elijah frowned at first, wondering if he didn't make himself clear enough by ostracizing himself and Sophia while also showing no intent to entertain anyone else. His length if time in that even was to entertain guests, he truly had no intention to partake in any of that now.
Their new addition wasn't a mind reader, he didn't turn and leave like Elijah wanted. With a soft sigh, Elijah thought it was a shame, their time together in such a setting was already over before it properly began.
The man in question who walked over was soon followed by few others. Much like the small group that lingered around during the event hours before.
Instinctively Elijah's hold around her waist got tighter and he stared ahead. The light and carefree expression he had when talking with Sophia completely bled away.
"Mr Oswald?" Elijah greeted the man first, his eyes then went to the few others but his lips remained sealed.
Mr Oswald frowned then lifted a hand, waving it dismissively with a broad grin, "I was of the opinion that we moved past formalities by now Elijah."
"How so?"
"Well for one, our collaboration was great and so far, there has been no errors in your judgements, it's just unfortunate you left in a hurry," the man thinly smiled.
"No need to bother yourself Oswald," Elijahs eyes are drawn back to Sophia like metal to magnets "...it's all in a days work."
If he knew there was Sophia here waiting for him, he'd leave a lot sooner. Still...would they have the chance to meet if he did? Elijah threw away that what if.
"Ahh," Mr Oswald sighed, "Please, call me Sora, Oswald makes me feel old," the man joked, promting the few to laugh softly around him.
"-And I must say, this charity event has truly exceeded my expectations. I'm glad I decided to take this trip."
Elijah nodded. Like many here today, these people hadn't attended the first Event and waited specifically for this one. Elijah didn't see him before now so that's what he chalked it up to. It was unfortunate for them because they missed the chance to properly socialize.
Sora Oswald, like him was a man very similar in stature but situated in the country of Japan. He had connections that spanned the entire country and much further. While Elijah did business in Japan, it was only expected that their paths would cross and since he was the giant inside the goldmine of real estate, Elijah was very familiar with him. Oswald was in his mid thirties but looked late twenties and didn't bother wearing a mask with his crisply ironed suit. His English had traces of the recognizable Japanese accent but he still spoke well.
It was the necessary switch. Back in that country, Elijah was the one who spoke in their language to appease and integrate into the environment when needed. Now Sora was doing the same but in English.
If he was honest, Elijah really wasn't expecting this man to fly over to the other side of the world just to attend his event though so that part came as a surprise. Sora, without pause continued to prattle over the Event, filling the cool atmosphere around them and occupying much more space than Elijah found acceptable.
Even Sophia turned around and was watching the man in complete silence.
Elijah soon decided he had enough of the man's failing attempts to hide his true intentions, "Mr Oswald, as you can see, I'm very occupied right now, anything carrying great importance can be discussed at a later date."
"Of course, I understand. In fact, I already had my assistant schedule an appointment. Really looking forward to discussing the expansion plans." Sora responded without hesitating. "-And not only that but there's a new project I have in mind, I think you'll be very interested after hearing about it in great detail."
Elijah nodded slowly, but didn't bother responding. He waited for the man to drop the transparent front he wore and soon enough, it happened.
Sora's eyes meticulously slid towards Sophia who watched everyone keenly. The man smiled, "Oh my apologies, I'm pleasantly surprised, I didn't know you were seeing someone..."
Just as Elijah expected. His lips quirked up on one end, "Well now you know," he muttered. You and everyone else here.
Sora laughed, "I guess it'd be more strange for you not to be." He turned his entire attention to Sophia, much to Elijah's dismay.
"I'm sure he must've mentioned me at least once, my personality is my best feature, I've been told...that and my hair," He grinned, holding out a hand.
Elijah's gaze turned unsightly and Sophia, she didn't notice the sudden electricity in the air around them and reached out to shake his hand. Elijah's gaze lingered on that handshake. "...I'm sorry, Eli didn't."
"It's not a problem, Just in case you didn't hear me before, I'm Sora Oswald but you can call me Sora."
"..Right, I'm Sophia...Sophia Smith" she replied after their firm handshake.
"Oh Smith!" Oswald's brows went high, "I'm not familiar with this country but I do know many Smiths," he teased, "-forgive my ignorance but can you specify which family you're from?"
Sophia remainded silent then frowned. what did he mean? She didn't quite know how to answer. Behind her, Elijah's gaze got noticably dimmer.
When no one replied, the smile fell from his lips. Sora immediately straighted as if realizing he made an error. This was common place. In their line of business and networking, this was done as a basic gesture, an opportunity for to draw interests, make connections and find similar people. Still, problems could arise from it because a person being unable to respond to a question like this one could only mean one thing.
No background.
It didn't bother Elijah because he planned to rectify that detail but he still hoped Sophia wasn't bothered by this small difference between them.
Sora's stare was a surprised one at first at first then it got a little strange afterwards. The moment became awkward because of a single sentence, so much so that the other people around him immediately tried to remedy it. They quickly changed the topic and began their mutual greetings with Sophia, Elijah watched each of them, especially one woman who's handshake ended a lot quicker than usual.
He took a deep inaudible breath and turned his attention to Sora. Sora looked full to the brim with questions and an unmistakable interest. Sora's eyes never left Sophia and Elijah didn't like it, not one bit.
He had a feeling this would happen but to see it happening right infront of him...
Did Oswald not value their past and maybe future collaborations?
Sora was just about to begin another useless conversation with Sophia but Elijah stepped in before he had the chance.
"If you weren't aware, Mr Oswald, I have no intention to delve into business matters while standing alongside my date, If that will be all..."
Elijah trailed off. His eyes were firm and he speared the man with a glance. As if daring him to continue.
Oswald, the ever so smart man immediately caught on. He was surprised at Elijah's sudden dismissal mostly because usually, Elijah treated him with neutrality, even after their profitable collaboration, nothing differed.
Oswald lingered a while before taking his leave and the company he brought had no choice but to follow.
When they were out of sight, Elijah turned to Sophia. She wasn't smiling. She looked.. confused and her eyes weren't on him, she was watching them go instead with furrowed brows.
Elijah was concerned. Just what was this? "Sophia-"
Before Elijah could ask if she was upset and why, they were interrupted at that exact moment, again.
Elijah turned his head fast. His alarm at it being another unwelcome guest carrying even more questions to make Sophia uncomfortable quickly desciptated. His alarm didn't leave entirely...it came back and evolved into something much worst after he realized just who that new 'interruption' was.
It was a very short girl who he had to look down a bit to see.Sophia spotted her immediately. Even she had to look down a little too and yhe girl in question, pretended to be shocked upon seeing them, rising a dainty hand to her mouth, "Oh my...this isn't the refreshments table..."
"Amelia, why are you here?" Elijah asked with a sigh. Her games fell flat but she recovered just as quickly.
"Oh big brother! I just..." Under his pressing stare, Amelia's eyes fell to the ground, "wanted orange juice," she continued in the snakes voice.
Sophia had an opportunity to watch in real time just how intimidating Elijah could be if he wanted to. Even to his young sister. Sophia saw Amelia before so she had idea of how the girl behaved normally...this was strikingly different from what she saw before.
Sophia thought best not to laugh and refrained from doing so. Meanwhile, Amelia was standing stiff, her back washed with cold sweat.
Her bravado from sneaking away out of Jiho's sight and appearing over here was withering like ash in the cold turbid winds. Her brother only looked like this when displeased and as usual, it was scary. Amelia thought so as a young child and up to now, that thought stood true
She quickly recalled if she'd done anything wrong and came up blank. Maybe he was angry because of some other reason. She breathed a sigh.
When her gaze went back to Sophia was was shocked almost out of her shoes by Sophia playfully hitting her big brother's shoulder and pushing him to the side.
"Stop it, you're scaring her," Sophia muttered, getting in between them even through that did very little to block his frame.
Amelia was even more shocked seeing her brother easing up, just as Sophia requested.
"I'm doing no such thing," he muttered.
"You are, just just don't realize. You did the same thing to Mikah too," Sophia laughed but the scolding in her voice couldn't be missed.
Amelia could only blink. So they really were in their own world... A smile soon spread on her lips and she promptly held a hand out. She was glad she slipped away. Being short sometimes had its advantages.
"Hi Sophia, hope you don't mind but Jiho told me a little about you, I'm Amelia," Amelia ignored her older brother and only focused on the light that was Sophia. Anyone willing to step in between her brother's stare was no one to be trifled with. She felt some newly formed respect for Sophia.
Sophia took her hand with a smile, "Its not a problem, I'm glad we finally met."
"Good," she muttered a bit sourly, "Could've sworn he only wanted to keep you to himself all night."
"The him in question doesn't believe that's a bad idea at all," Elijah chipped in his two cents and both women ignored him.
"Don't mind him," Sophia joked. Her nerves upon actually meeting a member of his family was slowly disappearing. She nearly forgot why she was so nervous about that possibility in the first place.
"I wont," Amelia smiled widely, "You know...you're pretty cool, I always wanted an older sister."
Sophia was taken back for the first few seconds, she stuttered to reply, "I- Uh Oh! You're really cute-"
"You think so?" Amelia smiled widely, stepping forward. By now her eyes were shining and she stared at Sophia as if Sophia was an angel. The fastest way to her heart was compliments. Not only was Sophia quick to defend her from her oldest brother, she pointed out her cuteness. Sophia didn't even mention a thing about her height.
It was a refreshing feeling for Amelia. The last woman that stuck to Elijah like a leech previously...she couldn't stand her, and that feud started all because that woman, (Olivia was it?), pointed out how she wasn't growing as a cute little joke, always picking on her height before any thing else to tease her.
...Just thinking about it made Amelia face red. Bitch. Amelia didn't think she was that short either but being called a midget gave her sleepless nights.
Sophia nodded to reply to her previous question and Amelia's overcast gaze dissapeared, she mustered up enough courage and peered at her brother, "She's nice. Why did you hide her from us?"
Both of Elijah's eyebrows rose. He watched as the little girl who always had very little to say in his presence, take her stance and put her hands on her waist. Amelia waited for his answer but Elijah was not inclined to respond. He had more important things to think about.
As if realizing he wasn't about to speak anytime soon, Sophia filled the cool silence with a smile, "Oh it's nothing like that, I was just-"
"You should've come sooner." Amelia quickly leaned forward with a whisper. "My mom will be here soon, she'll be delighted to meet you!"
That alone sent a shiver up Sophia's spine. Why did so many of his family members choose to show up tonight-!?
"-Oh! There you are!" The small shout came from elsewhere and both of them turned to where it came from. Amelia's face got dark as she saw who it was. Jiho was hurrying over and much to her horror, her father was behind him also.
Amelia stiffly turned and made a move to walk in the other direction but Jiho crossed the small distance and grabbed her wrist. He smiled apologetically, "I'm so sorry she got loose-"
Amelia elbowed him in response, hoping to hell she knocked a rib, "What am I? A dog?"
Jiho gasped, horrified, "I didn't mean it like that but tell me...how did you slip out of your leash-"
Amelia answered with another elbow, harder just incase he didn't feel it the first time, "Shut up!"
Jiho laughed, turning to Sophia, "So sorry," he looked apologetic but Sophia guessed this apology was less for her and more for the man radiating cool air behind her. "-She's so tiny, I didn't even know when she disappeared from my side," he laughed sheepishly and beside him, Amelia started grumbling under her breath.
Sophia watched them humorously but all that humor bled away when she caught the gaze of the other man who stood by silently. After catching her gaze, the man walked forward.
Sophia remembered his name from Kayla's schooling. Dominic Osoro.
He held out a hand and Sophia had no choice but to take a hold of it. His grip was firm. Dominic was similar to Elijah in many ways, that including his eyes that made the hair on her nape stand when they made eye contact.
So intimidating... she gulped but forced a smile onto her face regardless.
He wasn't the exact same height as Elijah but other similarities were striking. He also had some patches of white in his jet black hair, reminiscent of his age.
"This is Dominic Osoro, Sophia," Elijah finally stepped forward, and as if he noticed her tensed shoulders he pulled her back into his arms, "Jiho, Amelia."
The two stiffened upon hearing their name. Sophia swore Jiho went stiffer out of the two. Jiho's eyes had a little anxiety in them and Sophia could only guess why.
"-I believe proper introductions can wait until a later date, don't you all think so?"
Both quickly nodded, turned and took their leave as if fire were on their toes.
"-And Father, I need to speak to you about something for a minute." Elijah recognized the look in that old man's eyes. He could tell it wouldnt be that easy to rid themselves of his company now that he came all the way over her. His curious gaze never left Sophia.
Elijah turned to Sophia, "Please wait here, I won't be long," he smiled softly and stepped away from her. He picked a random direction and immediately began to herd his father towards it. Dominic had some hesitance in his steps but in the end, Elijah successfully led him away. While leaving, he used that opportunity to talk with this father. A high percentage of his motive for taking this small walk was to rid himself of their company but he still had a few sudden pressing matter to bring to his notice.
Unfortunately, his small talk went over a minute as they joined Amelia and Jiho back at where they originally stood. What was worse, the few who didn't approach him while he stood with Sophia suddenly joined their discussion.
Some of them wanted to congratulate him on yet another successful Annual event and most wanted to try their luck at collaborating ventures. Elijah tried to keep his annoyance at bay and reminded himself that this was necessary as the minutes went by. As much as he wanted to spend the night with Sophia, that would only happen if they were alone.
He hoped Sophia wouldn't mind.
As he thought of Sophia, his eyes automatically went towards where he left her. He then paused, eyebrows furrowing when it took a while to spot her.
"-Excuse me," Elijah dropped the topic and excused himself, leaving his Father in the fray as he returned to where he came from.
Maybe it was too crowded, he thought, Sophia was shorter than him so it would be impossible to see her over the heads of many. Elijah tried to reassure himself but his gaze was getting darker and darker. Many avoided stopping him because of this, even though they wanted to.
Elijah didn't want to think the worst, that's why he reassured himself as he walked.
It was all for naught though because he soon stopped, right at that same spot. Right where he left her. Sophia wasn't there waiting as he thought she'd be.
Sophia was gone.
• • •
Omfg guys. I'm so sorry for the long af wait. Because of personal problems I wasn't able to post the chap like I wanted to.
Thank you so much for waiting and reading and I really hope you're enjoying the story. Remember to vote comment and share if and whenever you can ♡♡
See y'all next chapter
Nessa~